John Braine emerged as a prominent voice, capturing immediate fame with a debut novel that powerfully critiqued the British class system and became a global bestseller. His works often delve into the frustrations and disillusionment of individuals trapped within rigid social structures. Associated with the 'Angry Young Men' movement, Braine's writing is characterized by its stark realism and its focus on characters grappling with their societal circumstances.
A revised edition of a handbook for writers which offers guidance on developing writing habits and disciplines, combatting writer's block, reading to improve writing abilities, and various techniques which can be employed. With a new foreword by Malcolm Bradbury.
THE CRYING GAME is a satirical parable from the author of ROOM AT THE TOP. Frank Batcombe, a conservative North County journalist newly arrived in London, works as a reporter for a national newspaper. A chance encounter changes his life. His stylish cousin, Adam Keelby, a successful public relations entrepreneur, insists Frank join him in his fashionable quarters in Hampstead. Suddenly doors open for Frank. Desirable women crowd around and he gets wind of a political scandal that can make his journalistic career.
In John Braine's remarkable first novel, Room at the Top (1957), he introduced readers to Joe Lampton, a ruthlessly ambitious young working-class man determined to reach the top at any cost. The book became a defining novel of the decade, selling over a million copies and being adapted for an Oscar-winning film. In Life at the Top (1962), we meet Joe again ten years later, after he has gotten everything he thought he wanted: an upper-class wife, a nice house, a sports car, two children, and a job at the premier firm in town. But despite all his material possessions, Joe's life is strangely empty. His boss treats him with disrespect, his son despises him, and his wife is having an affair. Consumed with a growing anger and discontentment, Joe becomes desperate to escape the life he has created for himself. When he falls in love with the pretty Norah Hauxley, is it a chance to break free and start a new life, or will it prove to be just one more illusory promise of happiness?
Classic post war-novel about personal ambition.
Zväzok obsahuje preslávený román Miesto hore (1957) a jeho pokračovanie Život hore (1962).
Kniha oblíbeného anglického spisovatele střední generace volně navazuje na román Místo nahoře (1957), známý i z filmové verze. Deset let po jeho sňatku s dcerou bohatého průmyslníka se opět setkáváme s Joe Lamptonem. Hrdina se ocitá v krizové situaci. Uvědomuje si své závislé postavení vpráci i ve společnosti, ke krizi dochází i v jeho manželství. Překonat tuto krizi mu pomáhá mimo jiné vztah k dětem, jehož popis patří mezi nejlepší pasáže románu.
Román o prudkém společenském vzestupu ambiciózního mladíka, který pro kariéru bezohledně obětuje svou lásku. 2. vydání.
